Getting in Good Trouble Awards Luncheon BY J. LAJUANA MILLER
I felt like I had stepped into a sea of royal blue and white when I entered the Rosen Centre Hotel to attend the “Getting in Good Trouble” Awards Luncheon on June 23rd. The brothers of Phi Beta Sigma were EVERYWHERE; all dressed in their official royal blue sports coats. I walked to the table with the alphabetical listing of attendees with last names ranging from L to N. I was heartily welcomed by a Sigma and within seconds I had my table assignment. As I walked in the direction of the door to the ballroom, a Sigma stopped me to welcome me. At the door to the ballroom, the Sigma door attendant also welcomed me. Just inside the door, there was yet another Sigma who offered to escort me to my table. At this point, I became concerned that I might have a sign on me suggesting that I needed some extra help. As I reached my assigned table, I met Christopher Monts, Founding Partner of Monts Law, a Sigma and an event sponsor. He too welcomed me. I realized at that moment that I have never been so succinctly and appropriately welcomed to any
event in the cities where I have lived (Atlanta, Cincinnati, Orlando) or where I attended events throughout the country. The Sigmas clearly had done their homework. I commented to Mr. Monts that I was surprised at the number of tables and chairs for a luncheon event held on a weekday. He agreed that it was unlikely they would all be filled. He was wrong! I later discovered the Sigmas had sold 340 tickets and by the end of the luncheon there was a full crowd. Second only to the Sigmas, the ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority were abundantly in attendance in attention-getting red and white. My sorors shined like new money. Next in quantity were law enforcement officials from several jurisdictions. One speaker jested that he wondered if the residents of the City of Casselberry were safe at that moment, because it appeared the entire Casselberry Police Department was attending the luncheon. The 2nd Annual Getting in Good Trouble Awards Luncheon, presented by the Gamma Delta Sigma Chapter of
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., is so named to honor the legacy of the long serving Congressman John R. Lewis, also a Sigma, who often spoke of the importance of getting in good trouble for the good of our people and our country. The luncheon was both a scholarship fundraiser and an opportunity to honor individuals who mirror Rep. Lewis’ commitment to community service. Lewis Nimmons kicked off the luncheon by acknowledging the Divine Nine, the nationally recognized Black sororities and fraternities. Ms. Crystal Moyer, morning news anchor for WKMG News 6, was introduced as the Mistress of Ceremonies. Ms. Moyer is a member of Sigma’s sister organization, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Mr. Andre Martin provided the invocation, followed by wonderful renditions of the National Anthem and the Negro National Anthem performed by a group of Bethune Cookman alumni, assembled by Vertellus Kendrick. There were greetings from Phi Beta Sigma dignitaries to include: LeJuan
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS WERE:
■ Moses Ezechi, Jones High School, going to Lane College, to major in Mechanical Engineering ■ Dylan Horne, Ocoee High School, plans to attend Tusculum University, to major in Exercise Sciences, Pre-Physical Therapy ■ Robert Lucky, Jr., Timber Creek High School, is headed to Morgan State University, majoring in Computer Science. ■ Courtney Maura, Wekiva High School, is going to Florida Gulf Coast University, to major in Social Work.
■ Amani Afrifa, Horizon High School, planning to attend Florida Atlantic University and major in Nursing. ■ Zavier Avera, Jones High School, will be attending Yale University, to major in Mechanical Engineering. ■ Joel Campbel Jr. , Jones High School, headed to Aurora University, to major in Business with a concentration in Sports Management. ■ Christian Crump, Timber Creek High School, will be attending Florida Polytechnic University, to major in Computer Science with a gaming simulation focus.
■ Osvaldo Quezada, Ocoee High School, will be attending the University of Florida, seeking a degree in Computer Science. ■ Claudel Raphael, Jr., Edgewater High School, is going to Tusculum University, to major in Nursing. ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EVENT WAS THE VIDEOTAPED MESSAGES OF APPRECIATION FROM THE 10 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS.
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